Toronto has been experiencing a cycling boom in recent years. With programs like Bike Share, along with new protected lanes and trails, we’re seeing record numbers of people using bikes to get around the city. I’m one of them — I love riding around Toronto and using Bike Share to commute, explore, and get to events. But as someone who attends many concerts and other events happening across the city, I, along with many other cyclists, face a major safety barrier: helmets are often banned from venues.

Some venues, like Scotiabank Arena, will not allow you entry with a helmet and will require you to check it at bag check for a fee of up to $20. Others, like Rogers Centre, might refuse you entry entirely, depending on the security guard at the gate. While a few venues are cyclist-friendly, most are not.

This discourages people from biking to events, even when they live nearby or the venue is right next to bike lanes. It also discourages biking safely, especially when these events end at night. Cycling is one of the safest, cleanest, and most efficient ways to get around Toronto — but only if riders can keep their safety gear with them.

We are calling on the City of Toronto to create a by-law that:

1. Allows helmets at all public and ticketed events, or
2. Require venues that cannot allow helmets inside to provide a secure, affordable helmet check (similar to a coat check) with a capped fee of $2–$5.

We should be encouraging people to ride safely, not making it harder or more expensive. Many major venues are surrounded by bike infrastructure, yet cyclists are being turned away or charged unfair fees simply for bringing the gear that keeps them safe.

Sign this petition to tell City Council: Events should support safe transportation to and from the venue.