Montreal: Pink Bike Tour, Murals & Plateau Picnic Lunch

Summary

Montreal’s mural art, green alleys and a picnic in the Plateau

You’ll pedal pink bikes through Montreal’s mural-filled streets with a local guide, explore green alleys of Plateau-Mont-Royal, relax over a picnic lunch with craft beer in a quiet park, and catch river views away from tourist crowds. Expect laughter, local stories, and moments that linger long after you’ve left your helmet behind.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I remember is the pink bikes lined up at the edge of Jeanne-Mance Park, with that soft morning hum you get before the city really wakes up. Our guide—Marie, who wore a jacket covered in enamel pins—handed out helmets and cracked a joke about “helmet hair being très Montréal.” We set off toward Mount Royal Park (everyone just calls it ‘the Mountain’), weaving past joggers and a couple walking a dog that looked like it belonged in an indie film. The air smelled like cut grass and someone’s distant coffee. Marie pointed out where the city was founded, right there at the foot of the mountain. I didn’t expect to feel so… connected to it? Maybe it was just the way she told stories.

We rolled through streets splashed with mural art—honestly, some pieces were so big they made me stop pedaling just to stare. There was one massive mural that Marie said meant a lot to locals; she told us about the artist while we craned our necks up at all those colors. At one point, I tried to pronounce something in French and got it totally wrong—one of the other riders laughed and tried too, which made me feel less silly. The ride through Plateau-Mont-Royal felt like gliding into someone’s backyard: green alleys tangled with vines, spiral staircases painted wild colors, old men playing chess under trees. We stopped for our picnic lunch in an “off-the-beaten-path” park (her words), eating sandwiches and sipping craft beer while a breeze rattled poplar leaves overhead. I still think about how quiet it felt for such a busy city.

After lunch, we biked into Montreal’s entertainment district—Marie pointed out festival stages and venues where she’d seen bands play “before they were cool.” We coasted by the old Red Light area and into the Gay Village, which was full of rainbow flags and people chatting at sidewalk cafés. There was this pedestrian mall that stretched on forever; Marie knew half the folks we passed and waved every few minutes. Somewhere along there I realized how much Montrealers love their parks—we ended up in La Fontaine Park where people lounged on blankets or played music together without anyone seeming rushed.

The last thing I remember is standing at this hidden vantage point over the river—not Old Montréal with its crowds, but somewhere quieter where you could actually hear water moving below. My legs were tired but happy-tired, if that makes sense. It’s funny—I thought this would be just another bike tour of Montreal, but it felt more like borrowing someone else’s city for a day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Montreal bike tour and local highlights

• Stop at Jeanne-Mance park
• View massive mural art
• Bike back green alleys and streets
• Have lunch picnic and craft beer
• Explore Plateau neighbourhood parks
• Visit cultural heart and festivals area
• See main stage of jazz festivals
• Overlook port and river from vantage point
• Walk pedestrian mall in Gay Village
• Cruise through La Fontaine Park

Top questions

Is lunch included on this Montreal bike tour?

Yes, a picnic lunch with craft beer is included during the ride.

How long is the Montreal Pink Bike Tour?

The exact duration isn’t specified but expect several hours including stops for murals, parks, lunch, and river views.

Does this bike tour go to Old Montreal?

No, instead you’ll visit less touristy areas like Plateau-Mont-Royal and get river views away from Old Montreal crowds.

Are bikes and helmets provided?

Yes—your use of bicycle and helmet are included in the tour price.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

You should have at least moderate fitness as you’ll be biking several neighborhoods across Montreal.

Who leads this Montreal bike tour?

A local professional guide leads each group and shares stories about neighborhoods along the way.

What should I bring or wear?

Comfortable clothes for biking; let them know dietary needs or your height when booking for proper bike fit.

What’s included

Your day includes use of a pink bicycle and helmet throughout Montreal’s neighborhoods, guidance from a local expert who shares stories at every stop, plus a picnic lunch with craft beer enjoyed in an offbeat park before rolling back through leafy streets—all logistics handled so you can just ride along.