British Columbia

Vancouver vs. Surrey: A tale of two cycling plans

As Vancouver moves forward with its plan to increase cycling infrastructure, the CBC's Jennifer Chen checked in on how B.C.'s next largest city is building up its own biking network.

A quick look at cycling infrastructure in B.C's two biggest cities

Cyclists in Surrey and Vancouver ((Courtesy: City of Surrey and City of Vancouver))

As Vancouver moves forward with its plan to increase cycling infrastructure,  the CBC's Jennifer Chen checked in on how B.C.'s next largest city is building up its own biking network.

Surrey:

  • approved new 40-year cycling plan in July 2012
  • focusing on building infrastructure around Surrey city centre
  • expanding cycling path from 450 kilometres to 700 kilometres within 20 years
  • increasing the cycling network by 50 per cent by 2052
  • allotting 3 per cent of the $67-million capital transit budget to cycling infrastructure
  • completed cycling and pedestrian overpass over Highway 99 at 35 Avenue and cycling and pedestrian overpass across Highway 1 at 168 Street, connecting Fraser Heights with Tynehead Regional Park
  • plans for a multi-use pathway on King George Boulevard on the west side (east side pathway completed 2011), new signs and pavement markings for bike routes between Port Mann Bridge and Surrey city centre, multi-use greenway on Fleetwood along 80th Avenue

Vancouver:

  • approved new 10-year cycling plan in May 2010
  • increasing the total share of cycling trips from 7 to 10 percent by 2020
  • opened the Comox-Helmcken greenway in June 2013
  • approved bike sharing program July 23, 2013 to roll out in early 2014
  • separated bike lanes along Hornby and Dunsmuir (completed in 2010), separated bike lane on Burrard Bridge
  • approved bikeway enhancements to Union Street July 2013
  • improvements to cycling pathways and parking in Stanley Park approved October 2012
  • city council currently hearing speakers on Point Grey Road bike lane plan