The photocatalytic decomposition of toluene vapor by bare and $TiO_2$-coated carbon fibers was studied. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) was used to perform the $TiO_2$ coating. We show that, under our conditions, the photocatalytic activity of bare carbon fibers was comparable with that of $TiO_2$ films, which are known to be good photocatalysts. The origin of the high photocatalytic activity of bare carbon fibers is discussed.