Just minutes from downtown Vancouver, discover incredible mountain biking options amid unspoiled nature. Cycling is also one of the best options for touring Vancouver’s beaches and neighbourhoods, with more than 400km/249mi of bike routes throughout BC’s largest city.
Mountain bikers with a taste for the extreme relish the steep descents and crazy stunts of Vancouver’s North Shore Mountains. Seeking something easier? Ride the beginner and intermediate trails on Burnaby Mountain, which offer some stunts and structures. Or explore densely forested Pacific Spirit Regional Park while biking along mostly flat, multi-use trails.
For cyclists, the Stanley Park Seawall and Seaside Bicycle Route provide stunning ocean, forest, and city views, winding past some of Vancouver’s top tourist attractions. Many downtown streets have dedicated bike lanes.
North Shore Mountain Biking
Thirty minutes north of Vancouver lies the legendary area known by mountain bikers worldwide as “The Shore.” Three mountains – Seymour, Fromme and Cypress – make up this North Vancouver mountain biking mecca, the birthplace of freeriding.
The North Shore is home to some of the world’s most challenging trails, which are regularly featured in mountain bike movies and magazines, and full of roots, rocks and stunts. Big bikes with huge shocks and full-face helmets are a plus.
“What is considered intermediate on The Shore, is considered advanced anywhere else in the world” is a common expression here. Don’t miss the picturesque CBC Trail on Seymour, which descends through old-growth forest and over world-famous rock roll downs and wood structures.
Burnaby Mountain
Beginner and intermediate mountain bikers often head to Burnaby Mountain to hone their skills and get the nerve to tackle The Shore. The easier trails are on the lower mountain and are relatively flat and stunt-free. Head to the top of the mountain before descending a mix of intermediate and advanced trails. Ride all the way to the bottom to find the Mountain Air Skills Bike Park, which offers a progression of skinnies, jumps, wall rides and other technical features.
Stanley Park Seawall & Seaside Bicycle Route
Just minutes from downtown, the beautiful 9km/6mi Stanley Park Seawall separates Stanley Park from the ocean. Cycle counter-clockwise along a paved path past the famous Brockton Point totem poles, under the Lions Gate Bridge, and along two of the city's most popular beaches winding up at English Bay.
The 20-km/12-mi Seaside Bicycle Route is an extension of the Seawall. Head around False Creek past Vancouver tourist attractions like Science World and Granville Island. It’s possible to connect to a forested trail system in Pacific Spirit Park from Spanish Bank beach at the end of the route.
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Looking for a casual ride and don’t want to worry about stunts or wheels leaving the ground? Head to Pacific Spirit Regional Park, near the University of British Columbia (UBC), to enjoy the tranquil beauty of this urban escape. 38km/24mi of mostly flat trails are surrounded by moss-covered logs, a 12,000-year-old bog and dense forests. Many of the trails are multi-use, so be prepared to share the trail with hikers, dogs and equestrians.
Central Valley Greenway
Connecting Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster, the 24-km/15-mi Central City Greenway is a relatively flat mix of roads with bike lanes, and paved and gravel paths that pass through parks, shopping districts and lakes. Don’t feel like biking the whole route? There are 11 SkyTrain stations along the way to help transport cyclists to these destinations.
Road Cycling Routes
Packs of roadies flock to the roads surrounding UBC. Gentle grades and long flat sections make this an ideal place to train for distance races and time trials.
Just south of Vancouver, Richmond offers more than 80km/50mi of flat, scenic trails to cycle. Try the popular 28km/17mi West Dyke/South Dyke circuit, which begins in Steveston and features great views of the Coast Mountains, Gulf Islands, and Sturgeon Banks.
For a completely different bike ride, head to Richmond’s Iona Beach Regional Park. The flat 4-km/2.5-mi Iona Jetty is surrounded by the Strait of Georgia. Watch planes take off and land at nearby Vancouver International Airport.
Bike Events
The RBC Whistler GranFondo (September) features thousands of cyclists who make the 120-km/75-mi journey from Vancouver to Whistler along one of the world’s most scenic highways.
Bike the Blossoms (held in April when cherry blossoms are in full bloom) is a self-guided urban tour that travels through popular Vancouver neighbourhoods such as Kitsilano and Commercial Drive. Designated stops provide cyclists the chance to sample local food.
Practical Points
- Bike helmets are mandatory in BC.
- Full-face helmets and armour are recommended for North Shore trails.
- Obey all trail signs and respect trail closures.
- Bike and equipment rentals are available in North Vancouver, West Vancouver and Vancouver.
- Bikes are permitted on many transit services.
- Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers.
- Many cyclists bike year round, but peak season is from April to October.
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