6 Best Places To Bike In Vancouver
01.
Vancouver Seawall
ADDRESS:
Vancouver, BC V6G 3E2
Parking $
'The Seawall' is one of Vancouver’s top attractions. It is a paved pathway that stretches some 28 km (17.5 miles) around the city’s waterfront. The Vancouver Seawall is one of the best ways to discover Vancouver and offers beautiful views of the surrounding area.
The seawall starts at the Vancouver Convention Centre on the north-east side of the downtown peninsula, and heads north to loop around Stanley Park and around to English Bay, then detours along False Creek to Science World before heading west past the Olympic Village, Granville Island, Kitsilano Beach and as far as the beaches of Spanish Banks. There are two lanes on the Vancouver Seawall, one for pedestrians and one for bicycles and such. In a city known for mountains, the seawall is mostly flat, making it an easy ride for those of all abilities and ages.
02.
Seymour Valley Trailway
ADDRESS:
2369 Lillooet Rd, North Vancouver, BC V7J 2H9
The Seymour Valley Trailway located in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve in North Vancouver is a smooth, car-free, paved multi-use path which winds its way through a picturesque second growth forest to the Seymour Dam. The Seymour Valley Trailway is roughly 22 km round-trip with 383 metres of elevation gain.
There are several picnic areas along the way, as well as toilets and even water fountains (open seasonally). The trailway is a perfect location for a family friendly cycle, or training ground for advanced cyclists.
03.
BC Parkway
ADDRESS:
BC Parkway, Vancouver, BC
BC Parkway is a mostly flat 26-kilometre, multi-use path that follows SkyTrain’s Expo Line, connecting Surrey City Centre, New Westminster, South Burnaby and Vancouver. The route offers a one-path ride through four municipalities for commuters and endless opportunities to explore vibrant neighbourhoods and parks.
A perfect bike lane to commute or explore the Lower Mainland via bicycle with scenic park views, murals and local destinations across Metro Vancouver. But, if you're looking for an uninterrupted ride, it may not be the ideal choice due to the amount of intersections along the way.
04.
Arbutus Greenway
ADDRESS:
Arbutus Greenway, Vancouver, BC V6P 6N8
The Arbutus Greenway is an 9 km paved multi-use pathway stretching from False Creek to the Fraser River. The pathway allows traffic in both directions and has a side for bicycles (and other wheels) and a side for pedestrians. Spanning along side Arbutus Road, the Arbutus Greenway is built in the place of an old inactive rail line and cuts straight through the city. The pathway passes by numerous parks along the way and rest areas making this location perfect for the whole family.
04.
Central Valley Greenway
ADDRESS:
Central Valley Greenway, Vancouver, BC
The Central Valley Greenway is a 24 kilometre multi-use path connecting Vancouver, Burnaby and downtown New Westminster. It follows a shallow valley, providing a scenic route that's relatively flat for an enjoyable bike ride for people of all ages.
In Burnaby, the Greenway brings you close to natural areas and recreational facilities. You'll pass by Burnaby Lake Regional Park amenities like the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex, Rowing Pavilion, Equestrian Centre and Nature House.
05.
Spirit Trail
ADDRESS:
Spirit Trail, North Vancouver, BC
Winding its way along the North Shore of Vancouver's scenic waterfront, the North Shore Spirit Trail is a partially paved 35km multi-use greenway that will eventually extend from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. This unique, waterfront-oriented trail provides cyclists, and others, safe access across the North Shore.
The City's portion of the Spirit Trail is 6.5km long. It connects growing neighbourhoods and new landmarks with popular destinations like Lonsdale Quay, The Shipyards and Moodyville Park. The Spirit Trail is a collaboration between The City, First Nations, North Shore municipalities, and the provincial and federal governments.
06.
Mount Seymour Road
ADDRESS:
Mount Seymour Road, North Vancouver, BC
Mount Seymour Road is known as one of Vancouver's cycling challenges. The 14 km climb has nearly 1000 metres of elevation gain and leads all the way up to the Mount Seymour Resort and Provincial Park. Offering views as far as Mount Baker, Vancouver Island and more from the top, makes this challenging climb quite rewarding, not to forget the rapid descent ride.
One of the reasons Mount Seymour Road falls on this list prior to Cypress Bowl Road, is because Mount Seymour Road has two lanes leading up the mountain, allowing cyclists the possibility of taking ownership of a lane rather than having to squeeze along the edge. The descent on the other hand is only one lane that must be shared between vehicles and bicycles.
