Eastern Canada - Moving to Hamilton, need advice on routes/neighbourhoods

My husband's job will be moving him to Hamilton in two months, while I stay in Saskatoon for my job :(. In my ongoing quest to get him riding a bike more often, it would be nice if his new place was on a very bike commute-friendly route to work. He'll be working at about 1300 Main St. E (Between Kenilworth and King). Can anyone suggest what neighbourhoods/routes would work best? Here are the requirements:

-Less than 5 km each way (he's new to this!)
-scenic MUPs would be nice
-quiet low traffic streets or good bike lanes are okay
-the escarpment would probably kill him (up AND down!)
-neighbourhood should be good quality, even though he's looking to rent (basement suite?)

If there's no such thing as a bike-friendly commute in that area, are there other areas of the city you'd recommend, just in general?

My wife and I moved from Saskatoon to Cambridge Ontario about 10 years ago. If you like warmer weather then you'll enjoy the move. It's currently -4 deg C here in SW Ontario and -33 deg C in S'toon. The only difficult thing we experienced when moving from Sask to Ontario was the almost constant cloud cover during the winter and the humidity. We're used to it now, but it was tough for the first year.

In general, the biking routes in SW Ontario are quite good. Although I miss the bike path along the South Saskatchewan River up to Bessborough. I can't help you with specifiic bike routes in Hamilton, however here's a link from the City of Hamilton site:

http://www.city.hamilton.on.ca/CityDepartments/PublicWorks/TrafficEngineeringAndOperations/Cycling/

Hamilton's improving (albeit slowly) in bike-friendliness. Where to live? If he's working near King East on Kenilworth, I recommend anywhere south of King near Gage Park. North of that isn't all that scenic, to put it nicely. The West end is expensive but nice. The escarpment's where the decent mall is, but I think you implied he wants to bike to work. There's a great waterfront trail northwest, a fine rail trail in the west (extending to Brantford, Paris and Cambridge) and a cool access up the mountain from Corktown in south-central. I live South central near Locke and cycling is something you ride somewhere calmer to do! He should be okay downtown if he sticks to the side streets and keeps his wits about him, but road conditions are pretty crappy and the one way streets can be confusing to newcomers. Hope I don't paint too bleak a picture; Hamilton's got a lot going for it, particularly in the summer.

I don't live in Hamilton, but have visited several times.

For a scenic bike ride, head off towards Niagara Falls on the beach

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Hamilton-Niagara-Falls

I took the Woodward Ave route right to the Golf course on the beach. You can head either south towards Grimsby or North to Burlington. Nice ride.

As for riding in town. It's very flat. Nice grid layout to the steets with lots of side streets.

Lots of mountain bikes around, so you won't feel like you're the only cyclist in the world.

Bike friendly in Hamilton? Too funny. Similar to a Vancouverite looking for affordable housing, I guess.

Okay, so I'm getting the idea that Hamilton isn't the place for a hesistant bike commuter to learn to love cycling. :) He found a place within range of work that looks like a decent neighbouhood near the base of the escarpment. I guess we'll have to see how it looks when we get there. I'll keep your suggestions in mind whenever I'm visiting and feel like going for a ride, though! Thanks.

Hamilton is great for riding! I'm in the east end near King St. and Red Hill Valley, get your husband to pm me and we can email or whatever if he has any Hammer Q's
I work with a girl from the 'toon, she talked me into being a Rider fan, broke my heart. (The Riders did, not the girl!)

Just moved to the EastSide from Oakville (don't ask )..not the prettiest part..I'm near Center Mall and yes not bike friendly roads. I'm planning on trying a commute to work from there over to 3rd line and the QEW...wish me luck

Hamilton eh...how unfortunate :(

The truly bad part about that is that you have to deal with Woodward Ave, (due to be torn up soon BTW). Otherwise you have to cross town, along York, and to North Shore/Plains.

I used to go to Bronte and Dundas.

I guess you could go down Parkdale to Burlington or further east to Centennial to tie into the beach front. Once you're in Burlington you're set.

Have fun.

True about Woodward..that is the only access on this side to get to Burlington.
I was thinking to start , was to drive 1/2 way (15km), park in Burlington south and take Lakeshore to 3rd line.

Plan on starting that next week.

Mattys..

I've lived in the hammer my whole life. It's a filthy lunch bucket town with a punk rock feel and I love it for what it is! Don't listen to the haters. You live about 5 minutes away from me. If I were you, I'd go barton and turn left down parkdale and then right on glow avenue and come out at woodward (you'll be below the newly started construction), and then beach blvd and into burlington on lakeshore. Thats quite a commute though!

Okay, so I'm getting the idea that Hamilton isn't the place for a hesistant bike commuter to learn to love cycling. :)

It's not that bad. lol. There are bike lanes and a pretty decenty grid-layout that will keep you away from big traffic, and it's getting better and better. I love commuting here.. I'm lucky though, my commute has bike lanes and nice riding the whole way. I got from the mountain to stoney creek daily and back.

It's not that bad. lol. There are bike lanes and a pretty decenty grid-layout that will keep you away from big traffic, and it's getting better and better. I love commuting here.. I'm lucky though, my commute has bike lanes and nice riding the whole way. I got from the mountain to stoney creek daily and back.

In fact... I have a thread in the commuting forum that illustrates (with photos), my commute.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?412626-My-morning-commute...%28Pics%29

Hopefully that eases your nerves.

In fact... I have a thread in the commuting forum that illustrates (with photos), my commute.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?412626-My-morning-commute...%28Pics%29

Hopefully that eases your nerves.



Those pics do look like the Hammer..Was at Central Cycle on the weekend. Met a great guy there. James. He showed me a Masi Speciale Randonner. Nice bike I'm thinking about getting for this commute. I'll most likely ride from the Lakeshore and Appleby area. Drive there and park..That works out to 15k one way. hoping to build up to a full commute.