Expanding the downtown bike network

We have been working towards building a comprehensive downtown cycling network that:

Provides a safer and more comfortable cycling environment for people of all ages and abilities
Accommodates the loading and access needs of adjacent businesses, institutions, and residences
Minimizes costs and disruptions by coordinating with repaving or development where possible, using primarily inexpensive measures such as paint and signs
Maintains on-street parking where possible
Reduces conflicts between vehicles, buses, and people cycling, walking, and rolling

The downtown bike network links many key destinations, including shopping streets, medical centres, cultural institutions, and major transit hubs. Bicycle ridership is growing on downtown routes, but there are gaps in the network and important destinations that are not connected to protected bike lanes.

2021 highlights

Two-way protected bicycle lane on Richards St from Cordova St to Pacific Blvd
Two-way protected bicycle lane on Smithe St from Richards St to Thurlow St
Upgrades on Haro St from Thurlow St to Denman St, making it safe and comfortable for people cycling
Two-way protected bike lane on Beach Ave from Hornby St to Park Ln, deployed using interim materials
Traffic Diverter on Chilco St at Robson St making Chilco St part of the All Ages and Abilities (AAA) network

Downtown bike network map

Contact the project team

downtownbikenetwork@vancouver.ca

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Previous projects under downtown bike network

Smithe St upgrades
We implemented active transportation along Smithe St (Richards St to Thurlow St). The proposed upgrades will:
- Closed major gaps in the existing bike network by providing an east-west connection between the West End and Cambie Bridge
- Created safer intersections for everybody through protected intersections
- Used a quick-build approach to minimize impacts
- Maintained sufficient vehicle capacity for volumes prior to COVID-19
In spring 2021, we engaged with stakeholders and the public to gather feedback on a proposed design for the Smithe Street upgrades.

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback. We have refined the design based on what we heard to improve safety and comfort for all road users.

Project documents
Drake St upgrades
Our final phase of public and stakeholder engagement was completed in early 2020. The majority of respondents supported changes to the recommended design, and shared additional suggestions that staff considered as they refined the final recommended design.

Staff presented recommendations for the Granville Bridge Connector and Drake St to council on September 16, 2020. Council approved the first phase of Granville Bridge Connector along with Drake St improvements on September 29, 2020.

View recordings from the Council meetings and read the Council report

Find information on how to watch Council live, speak to Council by phone, or send comments online

Phase two

Thank you to everyone who attended the open house and provided feedback through the survey.
Phase one

Thank you to everyone who attended the open house in spring 2019 and provided feedback through the online survey.
Richards green complete street improvements
As part of our commitment to green initiatives and with a goal to have two-thirds of all trips in Vancouver made by walking, cycling, and transit by 2030, we've upgraded major infrastructure on Richards St. This includes critical street infrastructure and extending the protected bike lane to provide better access and a safer and more comfortable cycling route for people of all ages and abilities.
Learn more about the project
Downtown bike network expansion
2021

Beach Avenue interim upgrades

As part of the city’s COVID-19 response, part of Beach Ave was reallocated to accommodate a two-way protected bikeway. This was first installed in 2020 and has been upgraded with more robust materials since. These materials are still interim which allows us to make changes if needed.

The public will continue to have additional opportunities to share feedback about the longer-term vision for these spaces and whether to make these changes permanent through the West End Waterfront Master Plan engagement and design process.

2016

Cambie St (northbound) between Dunsmuir and Water St (5 MB)
- New bike lane between the parking lane and the sidewalk on the east side of the street
Smithe St (westbound) between Beatty and Richards St (5 MB)
- New bike lane protected from vehicle traffic on the north side of the street. At intersections, the bike lane will share the vehicle right turn lane.
Nelson St (eastbound) between Richards and Beatty St (5 MB)
- New bike lane protected from vehicle traffic on the south side of the street. At intersections, the bike lane will share the vehicle right turn lane.
Beatty St between Nelson and Pender St (6 MB)
- Upgrade from painted bike lanes
- Upgraded bike lane between the parking lane and the sidewalk on the west side of the street
- Upgraded bike lane protected from vehicle traffic by a painted buffer on the east side of the street
Richards St (southbound) between Water and Robson St (4 MB)
- Upgrade from a painted bike lane to a protected bike lane in this segment
- Upgraded bike lane between the parking lane and the sidewalk on the west side of the street
Council reports and presentations
- Council report (1.5MB)
- Presentation (15 MB)

Related city plans and policies

COVID-19 mobility response and recovery

In response to the COVID-19 and Council’s "Reallocation of Road Space to Support Shared Use During Pandemic (15 KB)" direction in May 2020, staff have been reshaping how we use our streets and public spaces to help residents physically distance and provide opportunities to exercise and travel more comfortably. Improving sustainable mobility options will support Vancouver’s economic recovery and having a range of travel options will help us transition back to normal.
Climate emergency response

In November 2020, Council approved the Climate Emergency Action Plan to increase the city’s efforts to address climate change.

One of the six "big moves" to reduce Vancouver’s carbon pollution is to accelerate the target of making two-thirds of trips in the city by active transportation and transit by 2030, advancing the Transportation 2040 mode share target by 10 years.
Improve downtown connections

Approved by Council in 2012, Transportation 2040 is a long-term strategic vision for the city that helps guide transportation and land use decisions and public investments for the years ahead.

The plan identifies Smithe St as a critical gap in the All Ages and Abilities (2 MB) cycling network to prioritize for the upgrades. The Smithe St connection was also identified on the 5-Year Cycling Network: Additions & Upgrades (2018-2022) Map (1 MB).

On busy streets, the All Ages and Abilities cycling network improves comfort and safety with protected bike lanes and thoughtfully designed intersections.

Filling the gaps between existing All Ages and Abilities cycling routes is an effective way to improve comfort, convenience, and safety for people cycling and rolling to progress towards our Climate Emergency targets.