The Ride & Refresh program makes it easier for McGill students and full-time employees to bike to the Downtown and Macdonald campuses. With access to on-campus shower, towel, and locker facilities, participants get to enjoy an active commute and arrive at their destination clean and refreshed.
About the program
Downtown Campus
The Ride & Refresh program is designed to help McGill full-time employees and students reap the benefits of biking to the downtown campus — without the sweaty consequences. The program offers access to on-campus shower and locker room facilities at the , as well as a towel and basket service, on-site bike parking, and community events, for a one-time program fee of $39.99 plus tax.
The 2025 season runs from May 5th to November 3rd.
For more information, please visit the McGill Sports Complex’s .
How to sign up
You will find the sign-up form at the end of this page. Further instructions on payment and registration with Athletics & Recreation will be provided upon submission of the form.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the McGill Sports Complex located?
The is located at .
When are showers and basket services available?
May 5 to November 3, 2025, Monday to Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Is an access card required to enter the facility?
Yes, your McGill staff ID will serve as your access card. Upon arrival, please scan your ID at the front desk to enter the Complex.
Why has the cost of Ride & Refresh increased?
The first year of Ride and Refresh was made possible through funding from the Sustainability Projects Fund. This initial year of programming subsidized program fees and provided key infrastructure to help kickstart the project. Since the subsidy is no longer in effect, the sign-up fee now accounts for the full operational costs associated with running this program.
Where are the nearest bike racks and BIXI docking stations?
Bike racks are located outside of the McGill Sports Complex. See for an interactive map of bike locations at the Downtown campus.
There are also three BIXI docking stations within a five-minute walk of the McGill Sports Complex. They are located on the corners of Hutchinson and des Pins, Aylmer and Prince-Arthur, and University and Prince-Arthur.
Who is eligible for the Ride & Refresh program?
McGill students and full-time permanent McGill staff and faculty members who commit to biking to the downtown Campus for the duration of the season from the time of registration (weather permitting) are eligible. The 2025 season runs from May 5 to November 3. Payment must be made prior to the first visit.
What to bring
· A good quality bike lock
· Hygiene products (e.g. soap and shampoo)
· Shower shoes (e.g. flip flops, slip-on sandals)
· A lock (if you will be using a locker)
Where are the locker rooms located?
The women's locker room is located in room G-71, which is located on the ground level in the hallway close to the Equipment Room. The men's locker rooms are located in room 106 on the 1st floor near the Gymnasiums and in room B-5 on the B1 level. All changing rooms are equipped with showers, washrooms and lockers.
How does the towel and basket service work?
You will be assigned a specific basket (via email) for the duration of the summer. Baskets are located in front of the Equipment Room (ground floor, room G-48). Baskets are large enough to store a pair of shoes, a change of clothes and a few accessories, such as a water bottle, soap or shampoo. During your first visit, you can get the combination for your basket’s lock at the Equipment Room desk, along with a towel. You will then be asked to replace the existing basket lock with one of your own for the duration of the season.
Towels must be stored in your designated basket. Please note that clean towels are available in exchange for used towels.
You must return your towel and remove the lock from your basket by the end of the biking season, on November 3, 2025.
Are there gender neutral washrooms/changing facilities?
Yes. There are three gender-neutral washrooms, two of which also feature a shower in the McGill Sports Complex. A single-stall bathroom is located on the ground floor, just beyond the entrance and two bathrooms with showers are located on the 3rd floor (rooms 312 & 313 - just across from the Sport Medicine Clinic). See .
Mac Campus
The program offers access to on-campus shower facilities at the , as well as a towel and locker service, on-site bike parking, and community events, for a one-time program fee of $14.99 plus tax.Ìý
The 2025 season runs from August 25th to November 14th. For more information, please visit the Stewart Athletic Complex’s Ìý
How to sign up
You will find the sign-up form at the end of this page. Further instructions on payment and registration with Macdonald Campus Recreation will be provided upon submission of the form.Ìý
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Stewart Athletic Complex located?
°Õ³ó±ð  is located at 21111 Lakeshore Rd, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, across the street from the Centennial Centre.
When are showers and basket services available?
August 25th to November 14th, 2025, Monday to Friday: 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.Ìý
Is an access card required to enter the facility?
Yes, your McGill staff ID will serve as your access card. Upon arrival, please scan your ID at the front desk to enter the Complex.  
Why does the season only start in August?
The Stewart Athletic Complex has reduced hours during the summer and is only open as of 9 a.m. from May to August. Therefore, the program is being offered at Macdonald campus for a short season at a reduced rate in this pilot year.
Where are the nearest bike racks?
Bike racks are located outside of the Stewart Athletic Complex. See here for a map of bike locations at the Macdonald campus.
Who is eligible for the Ride & Refresh program?
McGill students and full-time permanent McGill staff and faculty members who commit to biking to the Macdonald campus for the duration of the season from the time of registration (weather permitting) are eligible. The 2025 season runs from August 25 to November 14. Payment must be made at  prior to the first visit.  Ìý
What to bring
- A good quality bike lock
- Hygiene products (e.g. soap and shampoo)
- Shower shoes (e.g. flip flops, slip-on sandals)
- A lock (if you will be using a locker)
Where are the chnaging rooms located?
The women's and men’s locker rooms are in the basement. Turn right after going down the stairs, and the locker rooms will be on your left.ÌýAll changing rooms are equipped with showers, washrooms, and day use lockers.
How does the towel and basket service work?
You will be assigned a specific locker (via email) for the duration of the season. Lockers are located at the bottom of the stairs after entering the complex. Lockers are large enough to store a pair of shoes, a change of clothes, and a few accessories, such as a water bottle, soap, or shampoo. During your first visit, you can get a towel from the front desk, and you can purchase or bring your own lock.ÌýÌý
Towels must be stored in your designated locker. Please note that clean towels are available in exchange for used towels.Ìý
You must return your towel and remove the lock from your locker by the end of the biking season, on November 14th, 2025.  Ìý
Sign up
Please complete the form below to sign up. You will receive a follow-up email within a week to pay the program fee and complete your registration with McGill Recreation. This email will also provide instructions for how and when to pick up your towel when you use the facilities.
