Dispatches

When the sun shines, Vancouverites grab their bikes – and if you are a visitor you can easily join them. 

The city is well set up for riding, with lots of cycle paths and places to hire a bike. It is not uncommon to see a businessman, a young girl, and an avid racer all riding along busy Burrard Street, but you can also find lots of paths without traffic – such as around Stanley Park or False Creek.

Vancouver was the home of Greenpeace and there is a strong pro-environment community in the city – so you will also be doing your bit if you join in. 

 The bike-hire shops will suggest routes for you to take – but the best part is just meandering along and finding your own way – that is how you discover the hidden corners of this great city. The locals are friendly and you can’t go too far wrong – so hop on your bike and explore these popular Vancouver destinations:

1.       Stanley Park – Sea Wall  - the Stanley Park Sea Wall is a favourite with locals for the picture-perfect setting. Cycle along the path with the great park on one side, and the Burrard Inlet on the other.  While out there, don’t be too surprised if you run into some bike traffic (trust me, it happens!) 

2.       False Creek Bike Path (around Science World)  - the easiest way to reach this path from the city is from the south end of Hornby Street. You can cycle from here all the way around to the Market Place at Granville Island. Don’t be ashamed to cheat on the way back and catch the Aquabus to Hornby!  

3.       Commercial Drive - This eclectic street is a great mix of slightly alternative cafes, bars, restaurants and boutique stores. You’ll fit right in on your two wheels. In fact,’ The Drive’, once a year, closes to cars entirely for one day allowing cyclists to reclaim the roads and preach their cause of cleaner methods of travel.   June is Bike Month in Vancouver so be sure to check out the many bike rental places in the city to join the festivities! While in Vancouver grab a free bike map from any cycling store so you can keep track of where the safest streets to ride are. 

Spokes Bicycle Rentals: Stylish bike rental and espresso bar

City by Cycle: hosted tour of the seawall

Bazooka Bike Rentals: 1531 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC