Embark on a nostalgic two-wheeled journey through the historic streets of Toronto with our curated collection of vintage photographs, showcasing the rich bicycling heritage that has peddled its way through the city’s heart. From the early 20th century charm of cyclists gliding across Centre Island in 1908 to the thrilling races at Scarborough Beach Park’s Velodrome circa 1926, these images, sourced from the Toronto archives, breathe life into the evolving culture of cycling captured between 1907 and the 1960s. I wanted to share with our readers some of my favourite images of locations of yesteryear’s bicycling events, the evolution of bicycle designs, and the admirable bicycle corps in their prime, this blog post promises a ride through Toronto’s picturesque past, filled with nostalgia and the timeless spirit of bicycling. Enjoy!
Boys cycling across Lakeshore Road bridge at Mimico. – [1907?]Female cyclist wheeling bicycle up muddy hill on St. Clair Avenue West. – 1907Cycling in Rosedale Valley – between 1900 and 1920Bill James Jr. and his first Canadian bicycle. – 1907Some of the James family. – 1907. A note says this may be 39 Huron Street, but the house isn’t the same as in 3522.Sis, Aunt Alice, Dora, and Frank (on bicycle) James. – 1907
Cyclists, Centre Island. – 1908
Bill and Joe James in a motorcyle with side car. – [1910?]Cycling beside Don River, between Don Mills Road and Leaside . – [ca. 1912]
Bicycle corps, University Avenue. – 1913
Soldier with family. – [1914?]. A note says that the location is the city limits of Hamilton, where soldiers on a trek were met by their families. (However, the soldier shown has a bicycle.)Cycle corps. – [ca. 1915]Cycle corps at physical exercises, Humber Valley. – [ca. 1915]Cycle corps. – [ca. 1915]Trick cyclists at CNE Grandstand. – [ca. 1920]North Bathurst Street hill. – [ca. 1922]
Photo: Alfred J. Pearson – December 6, 1924 – Bay St, showing parking, on east side, Saturday, before noon, (from Temperance St, north)
Start of bicycle race, CNE . – September 2, 1926. The winner of the one mile race was Bill Elder, third from left.Start of first heat of schoolboys’ bicycle race, CNE Grandstand. – [ca. 1926]Bicycle racing, Grandstand, CNE – (circa 1920 – 1940)Finish of bicycle race, CNE. – September 2, 1926. The winner of the one mile race was Bill Elder, right.Cyclists lined up for race, CNE between 1920 and 1940Norm James in Dunlop Trophy bicycle race. – [between 1925 and 1926]Mt. Carmel Church, Reverend Stephen Anad blessing bicycle. – July 28, 1929High wheel bicycle, a.k.a. Penny-farthing. – 1930Double high wheel bicycle. – 1934Dufferin Street, Eglinton to Wilson. – 1955Gold-plated racing bicycle presented to Peden, Canadian Sports Hall of FameHMCS “Forest Hill” crew host WRENS stationed in Halifax from Forest Hill Village, and other parts of Toronto at a dinner on the ship : Coder James Cramer (1300 Lansdowne Ave.) shows WREN Ruth Arnsby (9 Montclair) one of the bicycles sent by the Village of Forest Hill to the ship 1940-45Mary J. Gilmore and Ordinary Seaman Robert Denyer try out one of the bicycles – HMCS “Forest Hill” crew host WRENS stationed in Halifax from Forest Hill Village, and other parts of Toronto at a dinner on the ship : Coder James Cramer (1300 Lansdowne Ave.) shows WREN Ruth Arnsby (9 Montclair) one of the bicycles sent by the Village of Forest Hill to the ship 1940-45 – old bicycle photosPeterson Productions filming advertisement for BIA Oil at gas station – between 1950 and 1970
Cyclists, Centre Island. – 1908![Bill and Joe James in a motorcyle with side car. - [1910?] - Vintage Bicycle Photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Bill-and-Joe-James-in-a-motorcyle-with-side-car.jpg)
![Cycling beside Don River, between Don Mills Road and Leaside . - [ca. 1912] - Vintage Bicycle Photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Cycling-beside-Don-River-between-Don-Mills-Road-and-Leaside.jpg)
![Soldier with family. - [1914?]. A note says that the location is the city limits of Hamilton, where soldiers on a trek were met by their families. (However, the soldier shown has a bicycle.) - Vintage Bicycle Photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Soldier-with-family.jpg)
![Cycle corps. - [ca. 1915] - Vintage Bicycle Photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Cycle-corps.jpg)
![Cycle corps at physical exercises, Humber Valley. - [ca. 1915] - Vintage Bicycle Photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Cycle-corps-at-physical-exercises-Humber-Valley.jpg)
![Cycle corps. - [ca. 1915] - Vintage Bicycle Photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Cycle-corps-copy.jpg)
![Trick cyclists at CNE Grandstand. - [ca. 1920] - Vintage Bicycle Photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Trick-cyclists-at-CNE-Grandstand.jpg)
![North Bathurst Street hill. - [ca. 1922] - Vintage Bicycle Photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/North-Bathurst-Street-hill.jpg)
![Dunlop Trophy bicycle race, CNE grounds. - [1924?] - Vintage Bicycle Photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Dunlop-Trophy-bicycle-race-CNE-grounds.jpg)
![Bicycle race at Velodrome, Scarborough Beach Park. - [ca. 1926] - Vintage Bicycle Photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Bicycle-race-at-Velodrome-Scarboro-Beach-Park.jpg)
![Bicycle race paced by motorcycles, CNE. - [ca. 1920] - Vintage Bicycle Photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Bicycle-race-paced-by-motorcycles-CNE.jpg)
![Start of first heat of schoolboys' bicycle race, CNE Grandstand. - [ca. 1926] - Vintage Bicycle Photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Start-of-first-heat-of-schoolboys-bicycle-race-CNE-Grandstand.jpg)
![Norm James in Dunlop Trophy bicycle race. - [between 1925 and 1926] - Vintage Bicycle Photographs](https://torontoguardian.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Norm-James-in-Dunlop-Trophy-bicycle-race.jpg)
