Founded in 2008 as the Toronto Cyclists Union, the group adopted its current name in 2012 and became a registered charity in 2021.

A number of cycling activists had talked about starting an advocacy and lobbying organization for Toronto over the years, similar to the Active Transportation Alliance in Chicago or Transportation Alternatives in New York City.

In 2007, David Meslin did a research trip of cycling advocacy organizations across North America and returned with a presentation.

[3][4][5] At the organization's 2012 annual general meeting (AGM), members voted in favour of a motion put forward by the Board of Directors to change the name of the organization to Cycle Toronto.

[6] In April 2021, Cycle Toronto announced that they had become a charity.