Biking is a fun and convenient way to explore Ajax. Ajax is a designated Bicycle Friendly Community, home to a safe and connected 140km cycling network that encompasses off-road trails, dedicated bike lanes and shared use lanes. By using our bike network, you can reach a wide variety of destinations and amenities within a 20-minute bike ride from wherever you are in Ajax.

From the 7km Waterfront Trail that hugs the shores of Lake Ontario, to Ajax’s portion of The Great Trail that travels along Duffins Creek, to Carruthers Trail and Millers Creek Trail in North Ajax, there are so many routes to discover.

Rent a bike or bring your own, and explore Ajax’s scenic trails.

Ajax Trails

Biking Amenities and Infrastructure

Ajax is expanding its bike route network. The Town of Ajax is committed to providing a multi-modal transportation system that is useful and safe for all residents. The Town offers a variety of biking infrastructure and initiatives to encourage the use of cycling for all kinds of trips.

Types of Bike Paths (Separated Facilities)

Example of multi-use trails

Multi-Use Paths

Multi-use trails are constructed within the road right-of-way in the boulevard along arterial roads. Different from sidewalks, multi-use paths are wider and darker in colour. They can be used by people walking, biking, and using other active types of rolling (rollerblading, skateboarding, scootering, etc.).

example of Off-Road Trails

Off-Road Trails

Off-road trails are typically developed within parks, open spaces and green corridors throughout Ajax. They can be used by people walking, biking, and using other active types of rolling (rollerblading, skateboarding, scootering, etc.).

example of Cycletracks

Cycletracks

Cycle tracks are constructed along arterial roads. They can be located within the road right-of-way in the boulevard, or separated by a curb.

Ride safe: Slow down for people walking.

example of buffered bike lane
Example of a buffered bike lane

example of a bike laneExample of a bike lane

Bike Lanes

On-Road bike lanes provide a designated portion of the roadway only for people biking. Parking in a bike lane or blocking a bike lane is prohibited.

example of a Shared Roadways (Sharrows)

Shared Roadways (Sharrows)

Sharrows are a marking which reinforces that cyclists and motorists have equal right to use the road. They suggest where cyclists should ride in the traffic lane.

Ride safe:

  • People biking should ride one metre from the curb to avoid debris and sewer grates.
  • In lanes that are too narrow for people biking and people driving to travel side-by-side, cyclists should ride in the center of the lane to discourage motorists form passing too closely.
  • Unless otherwise posted, parking is permitted on streets with sharrows.

Crossing Intersections from Bike Paths (Separated Facilities)

example of a Mixed CrossrideExample of a mixed crossride

Example of a Separated CrossrideExample of a separated crossride

Crossrides

Crossrides are markings on the road at an intersection between a roadway and a separated facility. They indicate to people driving that there may be people biking across the intersection.

Typically, when approaching a roadway from a separated facility, people biking must dismount and walk with their bike across the intersection. At intersections with crossrides, people biking are not required to dismount to cross.

"ABC" Bike Safety Check

Enjoy Your Neighbourhood Network

Ontario By Bike Resources

A growing number of Ajax businesses are part of the Ontario by Bike Network, providing cyclists with amenities such as secure bike storage, healthy food options and local cycling route information. Look for the Ontario by Bike logo in the windows of participating businesses.

Find Ontario by Bike businesses here.

Share the Road

When Driving
People of various ages and abilities bike in Ajax. They are at different stages of learning about biking and the rules of the road. People also have different cognitive abilities affecting their ability to navigate different road conditions (such as ability to detect speeds, ability to identify a gap, etc.). While you cannot control their cognitive ability, level of knowledge, or actions of other people, you can help us improve road safety in the following ways:
  • Watch for bikes when making lane changes and turns.
  • Only pass a cyclist where there is enough room to do so safely (1 metre). Be aware that cyclists are vulnerable to different hazards than drivers (e.g. minor pot holes and debris), so give them space to manoeuvre. Where there are no sharrows or bike lanes, motorists should always share the road.
  • Reduce your speed when passing a cyclist.
  • Do not park or block the bike lane. This forces people biking to move out of the bike lane and into the same lane as people driving.
  • When parked on the street, look at your side mirror or behind you before opening the door. Do the “Dutch reach”: Use your far side arm to open the door. This prevents “dooring” (hitting someone biking with the car door).

As drivers, let’s do our part in keeping people safe. 

Fines

Learn more about safe cycling on the Ministry of Transportation website! 

  • Not leaving a 1 metre passing distance: $110
  • Parking in a bike lane: $38
  • Opening a vehicle door (driver or passenger): $365 upon conviction and three demerit points
 When Biking

Always look and communicate while riding your bike. Learn the rules of the road, helmet information and safety tips for cyclists of all ages by reviewing Bicycle Safety Information from the Ministry of Transportation.