Toronto's first and only water bike rental — pedal-powered, non-motorized watercraft on two pontoons that let you cruise Lake Ontario with skyline views. No balancing required, no swimming skills needed, and virtually unsinkable. A genuinely unique way to see the city from the water.
Neighbourhood: Harbourfront · Address: Ontario Place West Island, 955 Lake Shore Blvd W, Toronto, ON · Hours: Daily 12pm–10pm (May–October, weather permitting) · Phone: (416) 371-7333 · Website: https://torontowaterbikes.com/
Why Visit
Pedal across Lake Ontario on a stable, unsinkable water bike with Toronto's skyline as your backdrop. It's the most beginner-friendly water sport in the city — no swimming, no balancing, no experience needed.
What Makes It Unique
Toronto Water Bikes is the only place in the city where you can pedal a bicycle across open water. The twin-pontoon design is virtually untippable, the Ontario Place basin offers shelter from rough lake conditions, and the skyline view from water level is a perspective even most locals have never seen.
Toronto Water Bikes is the city's first and only dedicated water bike rental operation, launched in 2024 on the sheltered western shore of Ontario Place's West Island. The water bike itself is a genuinely unusual craft: a bicycle frame mounted on two stable pontoons, with a propeller driven by standard pedal motion. You steer with handlebars, accelerate by pedalling faster, and reverse by pedalling backward. The design removes every barrier that keeps people off kayaks and paddleboards — no balancing act, no risk of tipping, no requirement to know how to swim, and no learning curve beyond "pedal and steer."
The craft is virtually unsinkable. The twin pontoons provide stability that exceeds kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards, and the weight limits are generous: 300 lbs for single bikes and 600 lbs for tandem bikes. This makes the activity accessible to a wider range of body types and abilities than most water sports. The manufacturer claims, and Toronto Water Bikes' operational record supports, that the bikes have not capsized with riders in normal conditions.
The location on Ontario Place West Island provides an ideal protected water environment for beginners. The western basin is sheltered from the open lake by the island itself and the breakwall, creating calm water even when the outer harbour is choppy. The skyline view from this position — looking east across the inner harbour toward the CN Tower, Rogers Centre, and downtown condo forest — is a perspective that few Torontonians have experienced, even those who have lived here for decades. The Toronto Islands frame the southern horizon, and on clear evenings the sunset reflects off the downtown towers in a way that makes the city feel almost Mediterranean.
The rental structure is straightforward: bikes are rented by the hour, with single bikes at $75/hour and tandem bikes at $150/hour. The tandem is the better value for couples or pairs — two people sharing a $150/hour bike is more economical than two single bikes, and the added mass makes the craft even more stable in light chop. Riders must arrive 20 minutes before their reservation for safety briefing and fitting. All rentals include a life jacket (mandatory), a waterproof phone case, and a waterproof fanny pack for small valuables.
The activity occupies an interesting position in Toronto's outdoor recreation landscape. It is more active than a harbour cruise but less demanding than kayaking or paddleboarding. The pedalling motion provides genuine low-impact cardiovascular exercise — the company's marketing materials correctly note that cycling is an aerobic activity that engages heart, lungs, and core — but the experience doesn't feel like a workout because the sensory environment (water, skyline, breeze) distracts from physical exertion. Most riders report covering 3–5 kilometres in an hour without feeling fatigued.
For visitors, Toronto Water Bikes offers something genuinely unique: a self-powered water experience in one of North America's largest cities with a skyline backdrop that competes with any harbour cruise. For locals, it provides a new way to experience a familiar waterfront — the Ontario Place basin looks different from water level than it does from the shore path, and the physical sensation of pedalling across open water creates a connection to the lake that walking the boardwalk cannot replicate.
The operation runs seasonally from May through October, daily from noon to 10pm, weather permitting. High winds or thunderstorms can cause cancellations, and the company updates its social media and website on mornings when conditions are marginal. The best strategy is to book the first slot of the afternoon (12pm or 1pm) for the calmest water, or the 7–8pm slot for the best light. Weekend afternoons are busiest; weekday evenings in July and August are quieter and offer the most dramatic sunset colour.
Parking is available at Ontario Place's surface lots (paid), or visitors can take the TTC 511 Bathurst streetcar to the Exhibition Place loop and walk 10 minutes west along the waterfront path to the West Island dock. The 909 Exhibition Express and 955 Lake Shore West Express also serve the area during peak season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a water bike and how does it work?
A water bike is a non-motorized, human-powered watercraft that resembles a standard bicycle mounted on two pontoons. You pedal to spin a submerged propeller, which pushes the craft forward. Handlebars control steering. You pedal faster to go faster, and pedal backward to reverse. No balancing is required — the pontoons keep the bike stable regardless of rider movement.
Do I need to know how to swim or ride a regular bike?
No swimming ability is required, and no land-cycling experience is necessary. The water bike is completely stable — you cannot tip it through normal movement. A mandatory life jacket is provided and must be worn throughout the ride. The only skill needed is the ability to pedal a bicycle-like motion, which most people can do immediately.
How much does it cost and how long should I book?
Single water bikes are $75 per hour; tandem water bikes (seats two) are $150 per hour. For pairs, the tandem is better value and more stable. Most first-time riders find one hour sufficient to explore the Ontario Place basin and enjoy the skyline views. Two hours allows a more leisurely pace and photography stops. Book online at torontowaterbikes.com.
Where exactly is the launch point and how do I get there?
The dock is on Ontario Place West Island, at the western edge of the inner harbour. By TTC, take the 511 Bathurst streetcar to Exhibition Place and walk 10 minutes west along the waterfront. The 909 Exhibition Express and 955 Lake Shore West Express also serve the area. By car, park at Ontario Place (paid) and walk to the West Island dock. You must arrive 20 minutes before your reservation.
What is included and what should I bring?
Toronto Water Bikes provides a life jacket (mandatory), a waterproof phone case, and a waterproof fanny pack. Wear comfortable clothes that can get damp — light splashing is normal. Closed-toe shoes are recommended. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and water. Do not bring large bags; storage space on the bike is minimal.
Are water bikes safe for kids or seniors?
Yes — the bikes are designed for stability and low physical demand. Children must be accompanied by an adult and should be tall enough to reach the pedals comfortably (generally ages 8 and up). Seniors and people with limited mobility often find water bikes more accessible than kayaks because no flexibility or balance is required. The weight limit is 300 lbs for single bikes and 600 lbs for tandems.