During our roadtrip through Canada we not only visited national parks as Jasper en Banff, but also a few cities. So also Vancouver: a vibrant city by the sea, surrounded by mountains. Instead of writing a complete city guide ourselves, in this article we focus on one of the most fun ways to discover Vancouver – by bike.
Are you looking for general tips about the city, such as sights and neighborhoods and places to stay? Then also check out our extensive article about Vancouver.
Our journey through the United States and Canada
This article is part of a large one-year tour the United States en Canada, with a Dutch 4×4 camper that we shipped ourselves… It is a bucket list worthy expats must register with the local municipality and obtain a once in a lifetime experience that will never be forgotten.
We wrote almost 100 articles about this ultimate tour. Visit our North America page for more information.
Rent a bike in Vancouver
Vancouver is a bike-friendly city: wide bike lanes, clear routes and plenty of places to get off for a nice view. Renting a bike is therefore an ideal way to explore the city at your own pace.
There are many landlords, especially around Stanley ParkYou can choose an organized tour or go it alone, as we did. We paid around 85 CAD for six hours for two bikes. Not cheap , but definitely worth it.
Note: Vancouver is hilly in places and a helmet is mandatory. They are usually provided with the rental. A good lock is also useful if you want to stop for a park or lunch along the way.
Tip: Prefer not to cycle? Then check out the organised tours by bus, boat or on foot via GetYourGuide. Ideal if you have little time or would like more background information.
The best places to cycle in Vancouver
Vancouver is a city that should be experienced by bike. The city is surprisingly bike-friendly, with great bike lanes and routes that take you along coastlines, through parks, and right through the city center. Below, we share our favorite places to bike, from iconic highlights to unexpected places you might just stumble across.
Stanley Park
Stanley Park is perhaps the most popular and beautiful place to cycle in Vancouver – and rightly so. The 9-kilometre long Seawall around the park takes you along the coastline, with views of the Vancouver skyline, harbour, mountains and sea. A relaxed route without traffic, perfect for enjoying the surroundings at your own pace.
You'll start on the southeast side of the park, with direct views of downtown Vancouver and the seaplanes flying in and out. Along the way you'll pass iconic sites such as the Lion's Gate Bridge, Totem Poles, sandy beaches and viewpoints. On the west side you can see huge cargo ships at anchor, an impressive sight.
Along the route there are benches, lawns and beaches to take a break or have a picnic. This is really a place where you can leave the city behind and fully enjoy the water, the air and the peace. For us this was the highlight of the day.
Downtown Vancouver
After your round through Stanley Park you will almost automatically cycle downtown Vancouver in. What immediately stands out: this city is surprisingly bicycle-friendly. Many streets have wide, separated cycle paths and there is plenty of space to cycle safely and relaxed, even in the centre.
Along the way you will see modern architecture, flower beds, facades full of ivy and a surprising amount of greenery. Vancouver really does its best to create a pleasant living environment, also for cyclists. We enjoyed the relaxed pace, the ease of the infrastructure and the fact that you can easily navigate from park to neighborhood to waterfront by bike.
For us as Dutch people it felt familiar, but at the same time also innovative: you don't often see a world city that caters so well to cyclists outside Europe.
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Canada's best hot dog
After a few hours of cycling our stomachs started to growl. Luckily we had a golden tip: at the beach, near the famous sculptures of A-maze-ing Laughter, you could score the tastiest hot dog in Canada.
We followed our noses and found a modest street food stall with a long queue – always a good sign. The Jalapeño-Cheddar hotdog hit the mark: spicy, flavoursome and anything but your average sausage. Not cheap, but definitely worth it.
A-maze-ing Laughter
You will find the artwork directly behind the stall A-maze-ing Laughter by Yue Minjun. The bronze statues – a group of laughing men with exaggerated facial expressions – have become one of the most iconic places in Vancouver. Tourists (including us!) happily pose between the statues. A fun, light-hearted stop during your bike ride.
The Floating Houses at Granville Island
From the beach and the boulevard we cycled further along the south side of False Creek, towards granville island. To our surprise, we came across a number of colorful floating houses there – a striking and photogenic sight. They are not just floating in the water, but are attached to sturdy poles that move with the tide.
These houses are not houseboats, but real floating homes: a clever Canadian-Dutch design that you don’t see very often. The houses are compact, creatively decorated and are just a stone’s throw from the bustling Granville Island Market Hall, a popular place to stop and grab a bite to eat.
Parks in Vancouver
Vancouver is bursting with greenery. You’ll find parks in all shapes and sizes, from large city parks to intimate, quiet stretches along the waterfront. During our bike tour, we rode through several of these green oases, scattered throughout the city.
What stood out: each park has its own atmosphere. One park invites you to have a picnic in the grass, the other is perfect for taking a break or watching dogs play. Wherever you are in Vancouver, a piece of nature is always nearby. Ideal for a short stop during your bike ride.
Cycling along the boulevard
One of the best things about cycling in Vancouver is that you can ride along the water almost everywhere. Large parts of the city are surrounded by sea, inlets and rivers, and there are wide boulevards and bike paths that connect perfectly with them.
During our tour we followed the path along the False Creek, where you pass, among other things, ScienceWorld comes – that striking, bulbous building that you can see from far away. The path here is wide, clear and car-free, so you can cycle at your leisure and enjoy the view.
Chinatown: raw edge with history
We are Chinatown lovers all over the world, so we decided to cycle through this one too. But let's be honest: Vancouver's Chinatown was not what we expected.
Although the neighborhood has a long and rich history (as one of the oldest Chinese communities in North America), we mainly saw a distressing street scene. Many homeless people, addicts and dilapidated buildings. In some places we did not feel safe and decided to turn around immediately.
That doesn’t mean Chinatown has nothing to offer. There are still some beautiful buildings, a traditional Chinese garden complex (Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden) and authentic eateries. But tourists should be aware of the situation. If you do go exploring, do so in daylight, with company, and avoid busy side streets.
Gastown (and the Steam Clock)
After the hustle and bustle of Chinatown, Gastown offers a completely different atmosphere. This historic district is one of the oldest parts of Vancouver and is popular with tourists for its cobblestone streets, old facades and atmospheric cafés.
The eye-catcher? The famous Steam Clock. This steam-powered clock is located on the corner of Cambie and Water Streets and draws crowds of visitors every day. Every quarter of an hour you can hear a cheerful whistle as steam rises from the pipes.
We happened to pass by here once in the evening, when it was a bit quieter. With the steam in the streetlights and the old facades in the background, it was almost as if we were walking in another time.
Tip: Want a photo without crowds? Come early in the morning or late at night.
Closing note
Cycling in Vancouver is, in our opinion, the way to really experience the city. On a bike you discover the city at your own pace, with just enough freedom to get off for a photo, a hot dog or a break in one of the many parks.
What makes this bike tour so special is the variety: nature and skyline, art and beaches, peace and bustle. Vancouver has it all – and on a bike you experience it more intensely than from a car or bus.
For us it was a surprisingly nice day, in which we saw much more of the city than expected. A recommendation for everyone who wants to go out sporty, relaxed and curious.
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Also read: From Jasper to Vancouver | Clearwater, Salmon Runs and Waterfalls
