Ça Roule Montréal

Ça Roule Montréal, also known as Montreal on Wheels, has been running bike tours in the city since 1995. Its base is at 27 rue de la Commune Est on the Old Port waterfront, which puts the start of every ride a short walk from Old Montreal's hotels and on the doorstep of the riverside cycle paths.

Two signature tours cover different sides of the city, and both can be taken on a regular or an electric bike. Hidden Treasures of Montreal is a three-hour, 12-kilometre ride through the Plateau Mont-Royal, Mount Royal Park, the McGill campus and Old Montreal, a good choice if you want neighbourhoods and the mountain in one outing. The Other Side of Montreal follows the river, canal and islands over three hours and 16 kilometres, taking in Old Montreal, the Lachine Canal, Griffintown, Parc Jean-Drapeau and the St Lawrence.

Families are well catered for. A private young family tour of about two and a half hours covers 10 kilometres at a gentle pace, with trailers and balance bikes available for small children. Private tours of two to four hours and fully custom routes can be arranged for groups who want a particular theme or pace.

If you would rather explore alone, the shop rents city bikes, electric bikes, hybrid performance bikes and road bikes, as well as children's bikes, trailers and trail-a-bikes. Starting from the Old Port means you can be on the Lachine Canal path within minutes.

The shop is open every day, including weekends and holidays, from April to November. Hours run from 10am to 6pm in April, 9am to 6pm from May to September, and 10am to 5pm in October and November, so check the contact page for the exact schedule before planning a late-season ride. Book tours online in advance, especially in summer, and mention any children's equipment you need so that trailers or balance bikes can be set aside.

It suits active travellers, families and first-time visitors who want an overview of the city at an easy pace, and the electric bike option makes the Mount Royal climb manageable for most people. For questions, call 514-866-0633, the toll-free line 1-877-866-0633, or email [email protected].