Canadian Cycling Network Database

Release date: January 30, 2025
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Overview

The Canadian Cycling Network Database is a standardized dataset of cycling infrastructure across Canada. It compiles data from 75 municipalities and applies the Canadian Bicycle Infrastructure (Can-BICS) classification system to enable consistent analysis of cycling networks nationwide.

The data and metadata files can be downloaded as part of the Linkable Open Data Environment. The Canadian Cycling Network Database was produced by the Urban Data Lab at Statistics Canada and is available under the Open Government License - Canada.

Download

The Canadian Cycling Network Database and associated metadata files are downloadable as a compressed folder:

What’s included in the dataset?

The Canadian Cycling Network Database release includes:

  • Geospatial dataset: National cycling network file (compatible with geographic information systems).
  • Infrastructure classifications: Categorized according to Can-BICS standards.
  • Distance metrics: Lengths of each cycle infrastructure type for each municipality, provided as a comma-separated values (CSV) file.
  • Metadata: Details on data sources and processing methods.
  • Metadata report: Further information on methodology and results.

Data sources and methodology

Over 170 open data portals and municipal websites within Canada were assessed for geospatial cycle network data. Data were collected between November 2023 and February 2024. The date of publication for the municipal datasets ranged between 2018 and 2024, with 70% of data published between 2023 and 2024. The dataset is not exhaustive, as it only includes data which were openly available via municipal open data sources. This dataset will improve over time with updates.

Cycling infrastructure was classified into eight bikeway types, using the Can-BICS classification system.

  • High comfort bikeways are considered comfortable and safe for most people, and include protected cycle tracks, off-road paved bike paths, and local street bikeways.
  • Medium comfort bikeways include multi-use paths, which are shared by cyclists and pedestrians.
  • Low comfort bikeways are considered high stress routes and include painted bike lanes along busy roads.

Bikeways that are not classified in Can-BICS but were classified in the dataset include shared roadways and multi-use gravel paths. Further details on methodology can be found in the metadata report in the Canadian Cycling Network Database download folder.

Data overview

Across 75 municipalities, a total of 18,700 km of cycling infrastructure was mapped, with 12,407 km classified as Can-BICS cycling infrastructure. The lengths and proportions of each Can-BICS type are summarized in Table 1. The most common Can-BICS bikeway type was multi-use paths, which accounted for 27% of the reported cycling infrastructure, followed by painted bike lanes (26%). In total, high comfort bike facilities accounted for 13% of the total cycling infrastructure.

A full breakdown of length per municipality for each Can-BICS category is included in the Canadian Cycling Network Database download folder.

Table 1
Length and proportion of Can-BICS cycling infrastructure types Table summary
The information is grouped by Can-BICS type (appearing as row headers) and Comfort-safety level, calculated using Length (km) and Proportion (%) (appearing as column headers).
Can-BICS type Comfort-safety level Length (km) Proportion (%)
Note ..

not available for a specific reference period
Cycle track High 1,090 6
Local street bikeway High 636 3
Bike path High 683 4
Multi-use path Medium 5,088 27
Painted bike lane Low 4,910 26
Gravel trail Non-conforming 643 3
Shared roadway Non-conforming 3,819 20
Major shared roadway Non-conforming 1,831 10
Total high comfort .. not available for a specific reference period 2,409 13
Total .. not available for a specific reference period 18,700 100

Credits

The Canadian Cycling Network Database was made possible by the ongoing efforts of organizations that produce and maintain open data and by the cooperation of organizations that have either given permission to include their publicly available data or directly provided their data for release as open data. The contribution and assistance of these organizations are gratefully acknowledged.

  • Data compiled by the Urban Data Lab, Centre for Special Business Projects, Statistics Canada
  • Supported by: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC); Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC); and Cities, Health, and Active Transportation Research Lab (CHATR)

How to cite this dataset

Statistics Canada. (2025). Canadian Cycling Network Database. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/23-26-0004/232600042024001-eng.htm.

Contact

For queries, corrections or omissions, please contact us at statcan.lode-ecdo.statcan@statcan.gc.ca. Please include the title of the open database in the subject line of the email.



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Note of appreciation

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Copyright

Published by authority of the Minister responsible for Statistics Canada.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Industry, 2025

Use of this publication is governed by the Statistics Canada Open Licence Agreement.

Catalogue no. 23-26-0004

Frequency: Occasional

Ottawa

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