Why Cycle Tourism matters for locals, too.

Outside of BC’s urban centres, investments in safe, accessible and inclusive cycling policies benefit everyone.

Better cycling facilities across British Columbia appeal to international audiences coming to experience our spectacular outdoors, Aboriginal and coastal communities, wineries and historical sites, and world-renowned recreational and sporting events. For residents of these popular destinations, infrastructure for bikes eases the traffic congestion brought by tourists.

Working with our member organizations across the province, we have identified opportunities to improve cycling for better economic performance for our destination marketing regions:

Sea to Sky Corridor

  • Connects Horseshoe Bay, Squamish, Whistler, Pemberton, Mt. Currie and Lillooet via Highway 99 and secondary roads.

  • The GranFondo Whistler and IRONMAN Canada have contributed to increases in the number of recreational road cyclists along this route.

  • Major events and related visitation to local mountains have brought significant opportunities to create new economic benefits for communities along this corridor, and to the province overall.

Hwy 19A from Royston to Bowser

  • The Comox Valley is known for mountain biking and equally enjoyed by people on road bikes, especially on the popular route through rural seaside communities situated along Highway 19A between Royston and Bowser.

  • With strong investments in better cycling infrastructure on the route, the Comox Valley could become a mid-Vancouver Island cycling destination.

  • This 30 km section of Hwy 19A offers the only transportation route by car, bike, transit or foot through the adjacent oceanfront residential communities, and contains the access point to both Denman and Hornby Islands.

  • It is also an important link for the bicycle circle route between Nanaimo, the Comox Valley, Powell River and the Sunshine Coast, offering a unique rural community experience for both locals and the growing number of visitors seeking adventure by bike.

Sunshine Coast Coastal Bike Route

  • This is a joint project of Transportation Choices Sunshine Coast (“TraC”) and the Gibsons and District Chamber of Commerce, with a vision for a designated bike-touring route linking the whole Sunshine Coast from Langdale to Earls Cove, and on to Powell River.

  • Such a route could draw cycle-tourists to the Sunshine Coast, while also serving the needs of local cyclists in those communities, as well as Gibsons, Secret Cove, Halfmoon Bay, and Roberts Creek.

  • As the closest day-trip and multi-day destination to the Lower Mainland - it’s easily accessible by visitors arriving via the Vancouver International Airport, and a natural part of a larger Circle Route that connects to Vancouver Island via Horseshoe Bay or Powell River - the Sunshine Coast is ideally situated to capitalize on this growing market.

Trail of the Okanagans

  • Many small and medium-sized communities dot the shorelines of the Okanagan Valley’s chain of lakes, all connected by the Okanagan River.

  • Internationally-recognized vineyards and orchards welcome visitors and BC residents alike, and over the past few years, trail development for hikers and cyclists has progressed to a point where it has become feasible to connect all communities of the Okanagan Valley — including Osoyoos, Penticton, Kelowna, Lake Country and Vernon — with a continuous 250km pathway.

  • Over 70% of this pathway follows abandoned rail trails along beautiful lakeshores, valleys and rivers; only a small portion is along Highway 97 or residential roads in suburban areas.

  • While passage is feasible, it is not yet safe; currently, there is no reasonable way for people of all ages and abilities to cycle between communities.

  • Several local governments and volunteer groups, including The Trail of the Okanagans, The Okanagan Rail Trail Initiative, The Gellatly Bay Trails and Parks Society, and The Shuswap Trail Alliance, have developed plans to address this situation.

  • Our vision is of a valley-wide cycling corridor that includes the development of loops and spurs providing access to communities, vineyards, beaches, parks, the Trans Canada Trail, and the many single-track mountain bike areas.

  • In addition a safe, affordable, green transportation option is required for commuters and students visiting UBC Okanagan and the various facilities of the Okanagan College.

Inside Passage Bike Route

  • A bike route is proposed for the east coast of Vancouver Island, which would connect Comox, Courtenay, Qualicum Beach, Parksville, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Chemainus, Duncan, Mill Bay, and communities in-between.

  • The Inside Passage Bike Route would also connect with BC Ferries to Hornby Island, Denman Island, Gabriola Island, Saltspring Island and Thetis Island.

  • The Route is a project of the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition, the Oceanside Cycling Coalition, and the Greater Nanaimo Cycling Coalition.

  • In addition to encouraging cycle tour destinations among those seeking farm-to-table and related local food and culinary experiences, upgraded cycling facilities would also enable locals to cycle more for their daily trips.