of trips in Vancouver are made on foot, bike, or transit
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Home > Streets and transportation > Walk, bike, and transit
Our goal: Encourage and support walking, cycling, and rolling so that 2/3 of all trips are made by walk, bike, and transit!
Over the past 20 years, the number of people living, working, and travelling in Vancouver has grown, and there are more trips than ever.
Despite this, the total number of cars entering Vancouver and downtown has declined. More people than ever choose to get around by walking, biking, rolling (skateboard, scooter, etc.), and transit.
By walking, cycling, rolling, and taking transit more often, you’re:
- Helping your personal health (Healthy City)
- Helping the health of your environment (Greenest City)
- Alleviating congestion (Transportation 2040) to make room on the streets for vehicles who need to be there most (like goods movement and emergency vehicles)
Walking
Walking is the easiest way to get fresh air, stay fit, and explore Vancouver, rated one of the most walkable cities in the world.
Biking
Get cycling information: routes, maps, safety tips, bike parking, related business licences, and current projects.
Public transit
When you need to "go the distance", find pedestrian and bike-friendly alternatives to driving. Ride the bus, train, plane, or ferry.
How we are improving walking and cycling in the city
We’ve set specific targets for the number of people walking and cycling to get around Vancouver.
To encourage and support walking, cycling, and rolling, we are:
- Building all ages and abilities cycling routes
- Encouraging and supporting walking, cycling, and transit
- Enhancing pedestrian safety
Our achievements
We have achieved our:
- Transportation 2040 Plan and Healthy City Strategy targets to have two-thirds (the majority) of all trips in Vancouver made by walking, cycling, and transit by 2040
- Greenest City 2020 and Healthy City Strategy targets to have 50% of all trips taken be taken by foot, bike, and transit as of 2015
- Greenest City 2020 target to reduce the average distance driven per resident by 20% from 2007 levels
Walking and cycling statistics in Vancouver
- 2016 Report Card
(2.4MB) - 2015 Report Card (2 MB)
decrease in distance driven per person since 2007
of Vancouver residents walk to work
of Vancouver residents cycle to work
of Vancouver's bike network is designed for all ages and abilities (AAA)
kilometres of bike route
of trips made on foot or by bike include a friendly interaction
Safety tips
As part of our goal of encouraging people to walk, bike, and roll year round and our goal of moving towards zero traffic related fatalities, we have taken a number of steps to improve transportation safety.
With darker days and wetter weather upon us, visibility is limited and changing road conditions make it harder to see each other.
Whether you’re walking, biking, rolling or driving being mindful about how you get around can help make sure everyone gets home safely.
Transportation safety
Vancouver's transportation safety action plan has a goal to move towards zero traffic related fatalities.
Be seen, be safe
By City of Vancouver
Click on the arrow to learn how to make yourself visible while walking, biking, rolling, or driving.
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Lights
By City of Vancouver
Wear a light around your neck or attach it to your bag. Use a headlamp or find a light for walking dogs, which often come with a clip. Make it fun with coloured lights!
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Reflectors
By City of Vancouver
To be seen from all sides, attach reflectors to your tires, wheels, and bike frames. Iron or sew reflectors to your clothing.
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Stickers
By City of Vancouver
Use reflective stickers to decorate your helmets, bike frames, clothing, bags, and umbrellas.
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Vehicle headlights
By City of Vancouver
Make sure your headlights are on. Drive slower when visibility is poor.
Visibility and safety tips
Make sure you know how to stay seen and safe during dark times of day and wet weather with our visibility and safety tips.
Signs, signals, and regulations
Recognize the signs and signals used in Vancouver and know the regulations that help keep everyone safe.
