Metro Vancouver Transit Agency Wants to Name its Cycling Network

Metro Vancouver’s cycling network is growing, and TransLink is looking for a new name to give it a distinct identity. The regional transit authority recently conducted a public survey to gather input on renaming what is currently called the “Major Bikeway Network.”

As the number of cyclists in Metro Vancouver continues to rise, TransLink and advocacy groups like HUB Cycling are working to expand and improve bike infrastructure. To enhance public awareness and encourage more people to ride, TransLink sought public feedback on a potential rebrand. Among the suggested names are CycleLink, C-Line, Super Cycleway, Regional Express Cycleway (REC), Cycle Connector, GoCycle Network, GreenLink, and Major Cycleway Network.

“TransLink, with support from HUB Cycling, was seeking public input for new names for the Major Bikeway Network, as we continue to partner with municipalities to build out the network,” a TransLink spokesperson told Daily Hive Urbanized. However, the transit agency emphasized that no final decision has been made, and the chosen name may differ from those proposed in the survey.

The Expanding Reach of Cycling Infrastructure

According to a recent TransLink report, Metro Vancouver’s Major Bikeway Network reached 4,870 lane kilometers in 2023, up from 4,404 lane kilometers in 2019. The breakdown of the network includes:

• 78 km (2%) bike paths
• 123 km (3%) protected bike lanes
• 980 km (20%) unprotected bike lanes
• 1,695 km (35%) multi-use paths
• 1,526 km (31%) shared roads
• 460 km (9%) bike-accessible shoulders

A key focus of TransLink’s network expansion is ensuring that cycling routes are safe and accessible for riders of all skill levels. Currently, 46 per cent of the bike network is categorized as “comfortable for most,” while 18% is deemed “comfortable for some,” 27% “comfortable for few,” and 8% “comfortable for very few.” Notably, bike paths, protected lanes, and multi-use paths are overwhelmingly considered the safest options.

How Accessible Is the Translink Network?

For many residents, cycling is a viable transportation option. Data shows that a majority of people living in Vancouver, the University of British Columbia, University Endowment Lands, New Westminster, and Port Coquitlam are within 400 meters of a “comfortable for most” bikeway. This accessibility is crucial in encouraging more people to choose cycling as a daily mode of transport.

An estimated 400,000 adults in the region cycle at least once per week in the summer. However, cycling to work remains relatively low, making up under 2% of all trips in 2021—a figure impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Since 2019, we have built 466 lane kilometers of traffic-separated bikeways, making it safer and easier for people to choose cycling,” said Kevin Quinn, CEO of TransLink, in a previous Momentum article. “That means fewer cars on the road, less congestion on our streets, and healthier communities at home.”

While the cycling network continues to expand, concerns loom over funding. TransLink has warned that its financial support for municipal bike infrastructure projects could be in jeopardy due to an upcoming fiscal shortfall. Between 2017 and 2024, TransLink’s Local Government Funding Programs provided a total of $887 million for 733 projects, including walking, cycling, and multi-use paths.

With increasing demand for safe cycling infrastructure, the potential reduction in funding could slow progress in making Metro Vancouver a truly bike-friendly region.

The name change is just one part of TransLink’s broader effort to improve cycling infrastructure and encourage more people to choose bikes for transportation. With no final decision yet on the new name, cyclists and the public still have a chance to shape the future of Metro Vancouver’s growing bike network.